| Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research

Organized Sports as a Pathway to Lifelong Health and Well-being

Read more about Organized Sports as a Pathway to Lifelong Health and Well-being

In contrast to unstructured physical activity, such as free play or independent exercise, organized sports are structured, rule-governed competitive team or individual sport activities. These activities typically are formalized through leagues, associations, or clubs. Organized sports are receiving renewed attention as both a public health opportunity and a rapidly expanding industry.

Addressing the Complex Roots of Childhood Obesity

Read more about Addressing the Complex Roots of Childhood Obesity

This month’s OBSSR Director’s Spotlight focuses on the challenge of childhood obesity. Katrina B. Goddard, Ph.D., Director of the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), co-authored this spotlight on the wide-ranging health consequences and the coordinated NIH efforts to advance prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.

School Health and Bullying

Read more about School Health and Bullying

This month’s OBSSR Director’s Spotlight focuses on “back to school” and discusses the impact of school health and bullying on youth. Courtney F. Aklin, Ph.D., Acting Director of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), and Alison N. Cernich, Ph.D., Acting Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), co-authored this spotlight on the significant activities and accomplishments of coordinated research efforts at NIH.

OBSSR Advances Health Behavior Theories

Read more about OBSSR Advances Health Behavior Theories

Despite the well-known Lewin’s Maxim—“there is nothing as practical as a good theory” (McCain, 2016)—many health researchers still struggle to understand or appreciate the utility of theory. I recall mentoring early-stage investigators who quipped that the only use for theory was to impress grant application reviewers, failing to grasp how theory could actually improve their research.

Mental Health Matters

Read more about Mental Health Matters

This month’s Director’s Spotlight focuses on the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) role in transforming mental health care through research and discovery. Andrea Beckel-Mitchener, Ph.D., Acting Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), co-authored this spotlight on the significant activities and accomplishments of coordinated research efforts at NIH.

Strengthening Behavioral and Social Sciences in Medical School Education

In collaboration with OBSSR, the National Academy of Sciences publishes “Improving Medical Education: Enhancing the Behavioral and Social Science Content of Medical School Curricula.”

OBSSR Celebrates 30th Anniversary

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, OBSSR hosts a series of events throughout the year, including webinars, workshops, and a research festival.

OBSSR Releases Its Strategic Plan for 2025–2029

OBSSR releases its fourth strategic plan, which reflects the rapidly changing nature of behavioral and social sciences research and builds on the office’s previous accomplishments. The plan capitalizes on OBSSR’s unique coordinating role, highlighting scientific priorities that transcend specific diseases and conditions, address critical areas, and fulfill the needs of the NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices.

The Future of Scientific Conferencing

OBSSR hosts The Future of Scientific Conferencing Workshop," a virtual event that brings together varied perspectives from multiple disciplines to explore advantages, barriers, gaps, and opportunities in the future of scientific conferencing for the behavioral and social sciences.

A Blueprint for the Use of Social and Behavioral Science to Advance Evidence-Based Policymaking

The Subcommittee on Social and Behavioral Sciences, co-chaired by the OBSSR Director, authors the Blueprint for the Use of Social and Behavioral Science to Advance Evidence-Based Policymaking.